2013 African Cup of Nations betting will give us around three weeks of top quality international football wagers to enjoy. This year’s event is being hosted by South Africa and runs from January 19th through February 10th. Sixteen teams will enter the fray after a round of qualification to get there, and it was Zambia who stunned the field early last year with their first title at the tournament, beating the favoured Ivory Coast in the final on a penalty shootout 8-7. Last year’s tournament was one of great surprise, with favourites falling by the wayside early on, and along with Zambia’s heroics, there was also a surprise third place at the event from Mali, who edged out the strong Ghanaian side. So we can expect some more twists and turns this time around but the familiar faces will be heading up the list as favourites.
African Cup of Nations Outright Winner Odds
Ivory coast 13/8, Ghana 6/1, Nigeria 8/1, South Africa 9/1, Zambia 12/1, Morocco 12/1, Algeria 14/1, Mali 14/1, Tunisia 16/1, Angola 33/1
This could be the great swansong in the tournament for former Chelsea star Didier Drogba. It is his Ivory Coast which go into the event as favourites once more and despite all their power and influence on the continent, they always seem to fall short when it comes to the African Cup of Nations. They have lost two of the last four finals, despite heading up the field as favourites. Will they come good finally this time around, or will it be another year of disappointment? Because of their past failures they are a little shaky in backing, especially at short odds of 7/4 with online bookmaker Paddy Power. Drawn in a group along with Tunisia, Algeria and Togo there shouldn’t be any issues about them qualifying for the knockout stage, but their prior failures under pressure as favourites could trip them up again.
Ghana therefore represent good value in taking the title. The Black Stars are more of an efficient side than the flair of Ivory Coast, but just like their fellow African powerhouses, they have failed to live up to expectations at the event. They have been in the final four in each of the last three occasions and the expectation is that they will go at least that far again. Host nation South Africa are trading well with the bookies, but look to be priced a little too short despite home advantage. The South Africans have quite a patchy history at the event and don’t look quite strong enough to really mount a challenge.
With the upsets of last year, there could be better value in looking at Zambia or Algeria to go all the way. Both are very organised sides with touches of flair which could took take the title. Algeria, at great value of 12/1 with online bookmaker Paddy Power are the second highest ranked side in the CAF, and defending champions Zambia 5th, so they should both have big presences in South Africa 2013. There could also be value in Mali again going deep as they did last year, as they are perhaps the big rising power on the continent.
One of the most interesting cases could be ran by Nigeria. The Super Eagles embarrassed themselves last time out in not even qualifying for the event, but bounced back to take their place in this year’s competition. There is always so much going on behind the scenes with Nigeria, including the coach not getting paid, and fall-outs over squad selection, that you never know what is going to happen with them. They are not the force they were, but they are steadily improving and if harmony is kept through the event, then they could spring a surprise.
Africa Cup of Nations Top Goalscorer Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Didier Drogba 4/1, Asamoah Gyan 8/1, Arouna Kone 10/1, Wilfried Bony 12/1, Gervinho 14/1, Salomon Kalou 14/1, Emmanuel Adebayor 16/1, Emmanuel Emenike 18/1, Issam Jemaa 18/1
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